Ivanovic to face Stosur in quarter-finals

Ana Ivanovic and Sam Stosur are into the quarter-finals of the Kremlin Cup after winning their encounters in straight sets.

Former world No. 1 Ivanovic beat Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-1, while 2011 US Open champion Stosur extended her winning streak to seven matches by beating Alize Cornet 6-4 6-1, and the pair will now meet in a repeat of last year's semi-final battle.

"It wasn't an easy match for me," Ivanovic said. "I really started well. But she's a tough player and the second set was much tougher that the scoreline indicates. But I added power in the important moments and was very pleased to win."

On Sunday, former French Open champion Ivanovic lost to Angelique Kerber in the final in Linz - her first appearance in a final since winning her 11th title in Bali in 2011.

Stosur, who won her second title of the season last Sunday in Osaka, won five consecutive games to win the first set and go 2-0 up in the second.

"I did what I had to do," Stosur said. "I made her play more balls when I had a chance to attack deep, so overall it was a pretty solid match."

Stosur rallied to beat Ivanovic in the semi-finals last year before falling to Caroline Wozniacki in the final.

"It was a very tough match. She plays differently than lots of other girls. She has lot of kick, a lot of power," Ivanovic said of her previous tangle with Stosur. "This year we are meeting a little bit earlier and I really hope I can avenge that loss."

Meanwhile at the Luxembourg Open, Sloane Stephens reached the last eight with a 7-5 6-4 win over Yvonne Meusburger, and former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was a comfortable 6-3 6-2 winner over Monica Niculescu.